New race set to boost hospice

A NEW 5km race in aid of the Sue Ryder hospice in Nettlebed will be held for the first time next month.

A NEW 5km race in aid of the Sue Ryder hospice in Nettlebed will be held for the first time next month.

The Henley Standard 5km will be part of the Henley Highwayman duathlon, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18.

For every entry into the event, £2 will be donated to the charity.

This is the second year of the Henley Highwayman and the run will take place on the second day, starting from Market Place in Henley. The first day will feature a cycle race.

Organiser Phil Harrison said: “The 5km course is a new addition to the event this year and the perfect way get out there after the excitement and motivation of an Olympic summer.

“With a fantastic start from the market square and with just a single hill to tackle, it opens up this amazing event to everyone.

“Plus Sue Ryder is a local charity and what they provide at Nettlebed is quite astonishing, so it is great to be able to support them.”

Tracey Hancock, head of fund-raising for the hospice, said: “We’re thrilled that the Henley Highwayman has chosen us to be their charity partner again this year and are very much looking forward to the event. We could not do what we do here at Nettlebed without the support of the local community.”

The Henley Highwayman was launched as a three-day triathlon in June last year when more than 300 people took part.

However, co-founder Jeremy Laming, of Henley Swim, is no longer involved.

The cycle race will start in Market Place early on the morning of the day the Olympic rowers bus parade takes place and there will be some road closures in the centre of the town for about 20 minutes

Participants can choose the distance they want to complete — either 62km, 120km or 182km.

On the following day, the runners will take on one of four distances — 9km, 17km and 25km or the new 5km race.

Again there will be road closures for about 20 minutes as the runners make their way out of the town centre to Swiss Farm, off Marlow Road. The rest of the route will be off-road through the Chiltern Hills before finishing at Swiss Farm.

Participants will be awarded points according to their chosen distance and the time they take to complete it in order to decide the winner.

Mr Harrison said: “Both events feature choices of distances to allow everyone to pick the right personal challenge for them. To add to the atmosphere, both events start right the heart of the town, where on the Saturday our Olympic rowing heroes will be concluding their honour parade. It promises to be a special day, showcasing Henley as a sporting hub for athletes of every level.

“Our event is inspired by the dark and dashing history of the highwaymen who used to target the trade boats and merchants who gathered in the town and takes you through countryside rich in history and tales of that time.”

Neil Ratcliffe, managing director of Higgs Group, publishers of the Henley Standard, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Sue Ryder through the run.

“As a community newspaper and company, we are delighted to add this new event to our portfolio as we continue to support events and good causes which can be widely enjoyed.”

The organisers will be offering a team of athletes and coaches to help participants in the build-up to the event with the help of Athlete Service in Greys Road car park.

Entry to the 5km race costs £15 and includes a feed station en route, electronic timing and a finisher’s medal.